Just another WordPress.com site

Reforming the Fitness Habit

by Mary Stella on February 4, 2015

I’ve heard from a lot of different sources that it takes 21 days of consistent repetition to form a new habit. That might be, but then it takes days 22 to forever, to keep that habit going. Among other things, I realized that I haven’t been as physically active as I was about six months ago.

No, I haven’t gone all sluggish and slothful, but I’m simply not quite as diligent. If I’m going to ride my bike for several miles in the morning, I want it to be at least semi-light out, so I fell out of that routine when the days reached the point that it was still more dark at 6 a.m. Then I was tired in the morning and didn’t bound out of bed with good energy. I dawdled longer in my morning routine which then cut the amount of time I had for a walk with the pups.

After work It was easy for me to convince myself that I was sooo tired that the dogs and I could settle for a shorter walk than the nice half hour-45 minutes. This kind of lazy thinking makes me the most upset. Those shorter walks not only don’t do me as much good, but I’m shortchanging the dogs on the physical and mental stimulation that they need!

So, it doesn’t matter that I was super enthusiastic and consistent for a few years with my devotion to exercise. When you let yourself get out of the habit, it’s easy to keep sliding down and cutting back.

Not good. Not good at all. I’m adjusting my attitude on this again too. It all starts with the mental dedication. When the side of me that wants to be lazy comes up with excuses, the rest of me gives it a, “Shut up and put on your walking shoes” look. The wind eased way down yesterday afternoon so I jumped on my bike for a 7 mile ride.

The dogs get two walks a day with one of them being longer. Sometimes with my schedule, it might be a challenge to get those walks in but all three of us need them so I just need to be more creative with my scheduling.

One of the cool things about all this is that more exercise doesn’t make me more tired. Being physical actually kindles more energy. Since I increased my activity the week that I was away on the cruise, I’ve felt better with more pep in my step.

Because my mindset has been a bit screwed up, I probably don’t have full objectivity about this whole thing. Honestly, I’m sure that I haven’t gotten as lazy as I think. The fall back behavior for me when I’m not doing all that I think I should is to then turn around and blame myself, deciding that I’m doing even worse. Hellish diseased thinking, that!

Whatever the case, I like being back on an acceptable course. It’s better for me all around.

2 responses to “Reforming the Fitness Habit”

Here’s the thing: winter is different. Give yourself a break, and go all out spring summer autumn. Sunlight is different, metabolism is different. Give yourself a break, treat yourself kindly – not you, but the universe – and then go all out.